SINGAPORE – The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), currently being constructed, could be extended to connect to the Changi Airport MRT station, as well as the airport’s future Terminal 5.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Thursday (July 21) that the Government is assessing the feasibility of extending the 43km MRT line, which is expected to open in stages from 2019 to 2024.
“It would provide a direct connection from the airport to the city. This would benefit travellers and airport staff,” said Mr Khaw during a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of works for the East Coast stretch of the TEL.
Mr Khaw also said the Government is studying the feasibility of bringing the proposed Cross-Island Line (CRL) to Terminal 5 and the new industrial zone serving the airport.
He said details will be announced after engineering feasibility studies are completed for the TEL and CRL.
“Together, these options (would) enable many commuters who use the MRT network to get from all parts of the island to the airport with no more than one transfer,” he said.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) also unveiled the finalised station names for the TEL following a public poll last October. It said that about 38,000 votes were received during the polling exercise.
The East Coast stretch of the TEL is planned to have nine stations along a 13km segment that will run through the eastern parts of the island, such as Tanjong Rhu, Siglap, Upper East Coast and Bedok South.
It connects to the Thomson stretch, a 22-station, 30km segment.
Thursday’s groundbreaking, held at the Marine Parade project site, also marked the start of work for two other projects: the East Coast Integrated Depot and the Downtown Line 3 extension to Sungei Bedok.
This article was first published on July 21, 2016.
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